The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-08-13

noiselessly. Yet have myself tried to sound the depths with a weighted cord, but without success. Now, Stephen," she continued, turning to me and speaking with emphatic de- liberation, "I have brought you here to tell you what the task is which I wish yon to perform for me. Are you ready and willing to do my bid ding?"
 Certainly, madame" I answered. "There is nothing that I would not gladly do for you"
 To-day is Monday. On Thursday next l want you to come down here and wait at the railway station till it is quite dark. Then engage carriage and drive to the manor, dismissing the vehicle at the gate, as we have done today. You must come to the house and you will find the black trunk that we brought down with us standing in the hall Put it on a nd-cart, which will be placed all ready beside the front door, and so transport it to this pool and throw it in."
 "Throw it in?" repeated in amaze ment. But why? And what after, may ask?"
 "Nothing. You may go down at once, or you may stay all night at the station. You will be well paid for your trouble. Here is duplicate key to the front door. You can let your self in, and after you have put the trunk on the hand-cart, lock the door carefully behind you, and take away the key"
 "And what shall do with the key after l take it away?"
 "Whatever you please. You may take it to Jeanne, when you return to Paris, or if you like, you may throw it ill the pond with the trunk. And now let us return to the house. You have just time, think, in which to catch the next train for Paris"
 We retraced our steps in silence. Miss Rayner said nothing more, and I was lost in amaZement at the very strange nature of the orders that was to execute. The more I thought the matter over the more puzzled and anxious 1 became. What could this mysterious trunk contain, that was to be surrendered to the hiding depths of the bottomless pool?
 These meditations so wrought upon me that, before we reached the house l determined upon questioning Miss Rayner, despite her evident reticence. But it was she herself who preached the subject. Stopping short just be- fore we arrived at the door, she said, impressively:
 ''I can see, stephen, that you are a good deal mystified by the task I have imposed upon you. You shall know all about it later. Suffice it to say that the temporary mystery that sur rounds the matter conceals nothing wrong. No. harm to any one on earth is intended. On the contrary, great benefit to the only person interested is the aim and object of my actions. will say no more at present. You must rely upon my solemn word of honor respecting the perfect harmless ness of the transaction, and, in vour turn, you must swear to obey punc- tiliously the commands I have given to you."
 There was something so impressive in her earnest words and in the dig nity of her bearing that took the re- quired oath without hesitation.
 ''Thanks," she said. And now, goodbye, until Thursday"
 She extended her hand as she spoke :: and, indeed, all through our interview our position as superior and employe seemed to have changed to that of friends and equals.
 clasped the proffered hand in my own. As 1 did so sudden and strange expression transformed and almost convulsed Miss Rayner's features. It was not look of pain. It was more one of horror. It was such look as might have been worn by one who be- held, looming up before her, some inn age of dreadful doom.
 ''I fear that I have hurt you, mad ame," l said, apologetically.
 "Not at all. I only wish you had hurt me. Go, now, or you will be too late for the train. And remember Thursday"
 The appointed day arrived. was punctual to my promise. Late in the evening reached once more the lonely house, whose image had seldom left my thoughts since the day I had first beheld it. It was past eight o'clock and pitch dark when I opened the front door with the key Miss Ravner had given me. There was no light in the hall, but. I had come provided with matches, and on striking one l saw the black trunk standing in the middle of the vestibule. On table beside it a lantern had been placed, evidently for my use; and beside the lantern lay letter directed to me in